UA Singers to perform at famous N.Y. venue on May 2

The University Singers perform Maurice Durufle's “Requiem,” directed by John Ratledge, during a concert at Moody Music Building Concert Hall on the University of Alabama campus Monday night.

Photo | Andrea Mabry

By Ashley BoydStaff Writer

Published: Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, April 23, 2010 at 11:40 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA

For the University of Alabama's University Singers vocal ensemble, practice really did pay off.

On May 2, University Singers will perform at Carnegie Hall in New York under the direction of choral director John Ratledge.

Ratledge was asked to serve as an artist-in-residence for the Manhattan Concert Production Series and asked to bring the 45 members of the University Singers along.

“The past two times I've conducted at Carnegie Hall, I've brought my choir with me to form the nucleus,” Ratledge said. “It gives you a core to the choir you're working with.”

This will be University Singers' first opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall, although they have already performed in large venues, including the internationally known Spivey Hall in Atlanta.

Their previous works include Durufle's “Requiem,” Brahms' “Ein Deutches Requiem,” Orff's “Carmina Burana,” Verdi's “Requiem” and Bach's “St. John Passion.” They have also been included in concerts with Ward Swingle, James Earl Jones, Della Reese and William Warfield.

“Carnegie will bring new exposure to the University Singers,” said member Kaycee McFalls. “This is something the University Singers has never been allowed to do and will give us more credibility.”

Member James Seay, who is pursuing a doctorate of music arts in vocal performance at UA, attributes their appearance at Carnegie Hall to Ratledge's international reputation and passion for music.

“He's highly involved in what he does,” Seay said. “You can tell that music is more than just a career or vocation. It's his way of life.”

Highlights from Ratledge's body of work include his European conducting debut in 1996 in Poland before he went on to conduct orchestras in France, Greece, Hungary, Romania and Spain. He was named to “Who's Who Among America's Educators” in 2006-08 and is a life member of the American Choral Directors Association.

University Singers members say Ratledge “revolutionized” the choral program at UA.

“We're lucky to have him here,” said Leslie Procter, a junior majoring in vocal performance. “Being in Singers and working with John Ratledge is a privilege.”

Zacchaeus Kimbrell, a junior majoring in vocal performance, said Ratledge is very good at bringing out the best in the performers.

“He takes singers and turns them into artists,” Kimbrell said. “He's really good with molding the voice and making it complement a piece of music.

“He's an artist himself and talks about mixing colors. After singing something beautiful, he'll ask if we saw something abstract. He tells us, ‘The absence of thought is the absence of color in the voice.' ”

Ratledge has already conducted two solo shows at Carnegie Hall as part of his association with the Manhattan Concert Production Series in 1994 and 2001, but this will be the first time he will feature his own music. Ratledge's original piece, “I Am,” will be a featured piece in the University Singers' Carnegie performance.

“It's the thrill of a lifetime,” Ratledge said. “It's humbling because this will be the first time I'll be using my own music. I've been so fortunate and blessed and had fantastic opportunities around the world, and this is another honor.

“It's the place where the whole history of music in our country is housed.”

The University Singers are scheduled to perform in Stern Auditorium of Carnegie Hall at 8:30 p.m. May 2. Other pieces on the program include Mendelssohn's “Richte mich Gott,” and Lauridsen's “Sa Nuit” and “Sure On This Shining Night.”

<p>TUSCALOOSA</p><p>For the University of Alabama's University Singers vocal ensemble, practice really did pay off.</p><p>On May 2, University Singers will perform at Carnegie Hall in New York under the direction of choral director John Ratledge. </p><p>Ratledge was asked to serve as an artist-in-residence for the Manhattan Concert Production Series and asked to bring the 45 members of the University Singers along.</p><p>“The past two times I've conducted at Carnegie Hall, I've brought my choir with me to form the nucleus,” Ratledge said. “It gives you a core to the choir you're working with.”</p><p>This will be University Singers' first opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall, although they have already performed in large venues, including the internationally known Spivey Hall in Atlanta. </p><p>Their previous works include Durufle's “Requiem,” Brahms' “Ein Deutches Requiem,” Orff's “Carmina Burana,” Verdi's “Requiem” and Bach's “St. John Passion.” They have also been included in concerts with Ward Swingle, James Earl Jones, Della Reese and William Warfield.</p><p>“Carnegie will bring new exposure to the University Singers,” said member Kaycee McFalls. “This is something the University Singers has never been allowed to do and will give us more credibility.”</p><p>Member James Seay, who is pursuing a doctorate of music arts in vocal performance at UA, attributes their appearance at Carnegie Hall to Ratledge's international reputation and passion for music.</p><p>“He's highly involved in what he does,” Seay said. “You can tell that music is more than just a career or vocation. It's his way of life.”</p><p>Highlights from Ratledge's body of work include his European conducting debut in 1996 in Poland before he went on to conduct orchestras in France, Greece, Hungary, Romania and Spain. He was named to “Who's Who Among America's Educators” in 2006-08 and is a life member of the American Choral Directors Association. </p><p>University Singers members say Ratledge “revolutionized” the choral program at UA.</p><p>“We're lucky to have him here,” said Leslie Procter, a junior majoring in vocal performance. “Being in Singers and working with John Ratledge is a privilege.”</p><p>Zacchaeus Kimbrell, a junior majoring in vocal performance, said Ratledge is very good at bringing out the best in the performers.</p><p>“He takes singers and turns them into artists,” Kimbrell said. “He's really good with molding the voice and making it complement a piece of music.</p><p>“He's an artist himself and talks about mixing colors. After singing something beautiful, he'll ask if we saw something abstract. He tells us, 'The absence of thought is the absence of color in the voice.' ” </p><p>Ratledge has already conducted two solo shows at Carnegie Hall as part of his association with the Manhattan Concert Production Series in 1994 and 2001, but this will be the first time he will feature his own music. Ratledge's original piece, “I Am,” will be a featured piece in the University Singers' Carnegie performance.</p><p>“It's the thrill of a lifetime,” Ratledge said. “It's humbling because this will be the first time I'll be using my own music. I've been so fortunate and blessed and had fantastic opportunities around the world, and this is another honor.</p><p>“It's the place where the whole history of music in our country is housed.”</p><p>The University Singers are scheduled to perform in Stern Auditorium of Carnegie Hall at 8:30 p.m. May 2. Other pieces on the program include Mendelssohn's “Richte mich Gott,” and Lauridsen's “Sa Nuit” and “Sure On This Shining Night.”</p>